"Clean Hands, Safe Lives”: Edo Health Commissioner Leads Call for Better Hygiene on World Hand Hygiene Day

 “Clean Hands, Safe Lives”: Edo Health Commissioner Leads Call for Better Hygiene on World Hand Hygiene Day

Habiba Sam 

As the world marked World Hand Hygiene Day on May 5, Edo State turned the spotlight on one of the simplest yet most powerful tools in public health: clean hands.

Leading the state’s observance, the Honourable Commissioner for Health, Dr. Cyril Adams Oshiomhole, urged healthcare workers, patients, and the general public to make proper hand hygiene a daily habit, warning that poor handwashing practices remain a leading cause of preventable infections.

Speaking at a press briefing in Benin City, Dr. Oshiomhole described handwashing with soap and water as a low-cost, high-impact intervention that can protect lives across hospitals, homes, and communities. 

“Hand hygiene is one of the simplest and most effective ways to prevent infections and save lives,” he said. “When done consistently and correctly, it protects not only patients, but also health workers and visitors who move through our facilities every day.”

The Commissioner explained that Healthcare-Associated Infections, or HAIs, often stem from lapses in hand hygiene and can be drastically reduced through regular, thorough handwashing. He stressed that such infections not only prolong hospital stays and increase treatment costs, but also put vulnerable patients at greater risk.

This year’s global theme, he noted, reinforces the link between clean hands and stronger public health systems. It calls on both healthcare institutions and individuals to take responsibility for breaking the chain of infection at its earliest point.

Dr. Oshiomhole challenged healthcare workers to set the standard by leading by example, saying their practices shape patient trust and safety. He also called on members of the public to make handwashing with soap a routine part of daily life, especially before eating, after using the toilet, and after being in public spaces.

The event reached its high point with a live demonstration by the Commissioner alongside senior health officials, who walked through the step-by-step process of proper handwashing. The demonstration was aimed at reinforcing the message that technique matters as much as frequency.

“Clean hands remain a simple but powerful way to protect lives and build a healthier society,” Dr. Oshiomhole said, adding that sustained awareness and practice are key to reducing the burden of infectious diseases in Edo State.

World Hand Hygiene Day is observed annually on May 5 to promote awareness and improve hand hygiene practices in healthcare settings worldwide.